ZOAHARIAN.COM – The news about changes to Australia's immigration policy has made international students worried. However, for Indonesian students who are currently studying in Kangaroo Country, the Australian government's latest announcement actually brings relief.

One of them was felt by Nini Istiqamah, a doctoral student at the University of Melbourne. He said he was relieved after Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke explained the new policy regarding international students at a National Press Club event last September.

In this policy, international students from ASEAN and Pacific island countries are still allowed to bring their families. A similar policy also applies to students taking certain study programs, including doctoral or PhD programs.

Previously, there was news circulating that Australia would prohibit international students from bringing their partners or family members.

"It's true that maybe it won't affect me because I'm already here, but now I'm relieved because it's clear," said Nini.

Even though Indonesian students are relatively safe from these changes, Nini still feels concerned about students from other countries who plan to continue their education in Australia with their families.

"It's also a pity to remember friends from other countries who had planned to go to Australia with their families, but were prevented by this rule," he told ABC Indonesia.

According to Nini, the decision to bring her family to Australia was not a simple matter. He himself had to consider the condition of his two children when deciding to continue their education.

Her husband, Mustolih Saputro, even left his position as Director of Technology in the field of research and development for a start-up company to accompany Nini and their two children.

"My position was Director of Technology... but we have two children that I have to look after," said Mustolih.

At that time, their children were 5 and 2 years old. According to Mustolih, it was impossible for the two children to be separated from their mother while Nini was studying in Australia.

Because of this, Mustolih chose to come to Australia. When Nini has to be on campus, she takes care of her two children and does her homework.

Meanwhile, in the afternoon and evening, Mustolih works as an all-rounder at Melbourne's Big Four Holiday Park, a family camping area.

The work is quite varied, from handling guests checking in at night, helping if problems occur at the location, cleaning the area to carrying out security duties.

"Yes, I do almost everything... for example, guests who come and check in at night, I take care of it, or if there is a problem on site, I help, and also clean, as well as being a security guard," he said.

According to Mustolih, most of the workers there are international students or partners of international students.

He believes that the presence of international students and their families also drives the Australian economy because many work in sectors such as cleaning, goods delivery and hotels.

"So in my opinion, there is a big loss for Australia [with this new immigration policy], because many jobs, such as cleaning and delivery drivers, are filled by students," he said.

International students have an economic role

The role of international students in the Australian economy is also of concern to the Reserve Bank of Australia.

In a report published last year, Australia's central bank said international students had a significant role in the economy. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, this group made up around 2 to 3 percent of the entire Australian workforce.

Meanwhile, the Australian Department of Home Affairs said policy changes were being made to ensure the migration system remained planned, sustainable and in line with housing, infrastructure and workforce needs.

The Australian government also emphasized that student visas are basically intended for foreign citizens to study temporarily in Australia, not as a route for permanent residence or family migration.

The Department of Home Affairs noted that Net Overseas Migration (NOM) reached 292,000 people in the 12 months to March 2026.

The Australian government targets the NOM figure to fall from around 295,000 in 2025-26 to 245,000 in 2026-27 and 225,000 per year in the period 2027-28 to 2029-30.

Entrepreneurs are worried

The impact of this policy is also a concern for business actors who currently employ many international students.

Meily Zulia, owner of a home cleaning service business in Melbourne, said most of her workers come from international students.

The workers come from various countries, including Nigeria, India, Bhutan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

According to Meily, getting local Australian workers is not always easy because of the nature of the work which requires flexible working hours.

He said that many international students and their partners fill jobs where it is difficult to find local workers.

A similar view was expressed by the Australian Hotels Association (AHA). AHA CEO Stephen Ferguson said that many international students work in the housekeeping, cafe, restaurant, pub, accommodation and tourism sectors.

He assessed that changes in immigration policy have the potential to have an impact on these sectors because international students are a source of labor.

Called vulnerable to exploitation

Meanwhile, the Migrant Justice Institute assesses that international student couples also have a contribution to the Australian economy.

Deputy Executive Director of the Migrant Justice Institute, Dr Laurie Berg, said migrants, including international students and their partners, help drive various economic sectors and the labor market.

He also highlighted the risk of exploitation of migrant workers. According to the agency's report, certain groups of visa holders often take low-wage jobs.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs emphasized that the government does not tolerate the exploitation of workers, including workers on temporary visas.

The government also recognizes that migrants have a contribution to Australia's workforce needs, as well as enriching the lives of people and communities.

In the midst of these policy changes, Nini and Mustolih hope that the Australian government will continue to consider the conditions of students who have planned their education with their families.

"In the future, we need to think about those who are not allowed to bring their families, especially those who are already planning to bring their families," said Mustolih.

According to him, the presence of family not only provides emotional support, but also helps students live their daily lives while studying.

Nini also highlighted the uncertainty of visa costs and rules which can change at any time.

"For example, the cost of a visa can suddenly increase... we have saved two thousand dollars for a temporary visa, suddenly it doubles, even though not all students here study on scholarships, many also pay for it themselves," he said.